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Difference between revisions of "Switchboard (App Store)"

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{{float toc|left}}
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{{internal software}}
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{{Infobox software
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| name = Switchboard
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| title = Switchboard
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| logo = [[File:Switchboard_icon_ios7.png|118px]]
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| screenshot = [[File:Switchboard_icon_macOS.png|128px]] <!-- Hijacking this for the macOS icon for now -->
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| collapsible =
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| author = Apple Inc.
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| developer = Apple Inc.
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| released =
  +
| discontinued = true
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| latest release version = 8.4.6<br/><small>(last version for iOS ever to be released)</small><br> '1'<br/><small>(latest ''known'' version for macOS)</small>
  +
| latest release date =
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| latest preview version =
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| latest preview date =
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| programming language =
  +
| operating system = [[wikipedia:iOS|iOS]], [[wikipedia:macOS|macOS]]
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| platform =
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| size =
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| language = [[wikipedia:English language|English]]
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| status =
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| genre =
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| license = [[wikipedia:Proprietary software|Closed source]]
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| website =
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}}
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== Summary ==
  
== Summary ==
  +
'''Switchboard''', not to be confused with [[SwitchBoard.app|SwitchBoard]], was an internal app that functioned as an app store for Apple employees, allowing them to download and update other internal apps all in one place. Switchboard's icon is very reminiscent of the official [[App Store]] icon, except it is green and has an "S" instead of an "A". Inside Switchboard, there are a variety of apps available for download, including [[Concierge]], [[Apple Employee Directory|Directory]], [[Radar]], and [[UniBox]], just to name a few. The apps available for download within Switchboard may vary from employee to employee depending upon one's [[AppleConnect (SSO)|AppleConnect]] permissions. Enrollment is done through various different websites. To begin enrollment, employees would visit [https://sb.apple.com sb.apple.com]. After signing in with their AppleConnect credentials, they would be redirected [http://sb.apple.com/SBCore/CORPEnroll here] to finish enrollment and install all the necessary MDM profiles on their device. After launching the app, Switchboard checks to see if you're running the latest version. If you're using an outdated version, Switchboard will not load its content and will ask you to update the app. Switchboard began to be phased out with the release of iOS 13, and was partially replaced by a more modern alternative called [[App Shack]], which was originally thought to serve as an eventual replacement. However, on {{date|2021|01|29}}, Apple shut down Switchboard, making 8.4.6 the last version to ever be released. [[Self Service]], which Apple has used for a number of years, was chosen as the official Switchboard replacement.
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[[Image:Switchboard_App_Store.png|thumb|Switchboard App Icon]][http://www.bgr.com/nggallery/page-320/album-all/gallery-158/image/2125/ Switchboard] (note the lowercase "b") functions as an internal App Store for Apple employees only. The icon looks similar to the App Store's but has an "S" instead of an "A" and is green instead of blue. Inside there are a variety of applications, some for retail store use, some for service centers, some for corporate employees. Those one gets access to vary depending upon one's [[AppleConnect]] permissions.
  
  +
  +
A macOS version of the app also exists. The only known version<sup>[needs verification]</sup> has a copyright date of 2019 and has a Catalina-style icon, implying that this app first came out relatively close to the end of Switchboard's life, compared to the iOS version. Unfortunately the app informs that it requires an AppleConnect account set up through an 'AppleConnect installer' first before crashing (not just exiting- the macOS crash reporter appears). Clicking the "Download Now" button in this popup just ends up leading you to the AppleConnect login page at [https://idmsac.apple.com/ssoclassiclogin idmasc.apple.com] (though it appears that you need that redirect from Switchboard for the page to load, which is likely just [https://appleconnect.apple.com appleconnect.apple.com] as that produces the same end results). Interestingly, there is no way to access "About Switchboard" when this popup is showing, the item is completely missing from the Menu Bar. This unfortunately means I can only find the version number found in Quick Look and the info pane, which is just simply '1', like many other internal apps.
  +
  +
== iOS Version History ==
  +
''This list is incomplete.''
  +
* 2.4 (presumed to exist)
  +
* 2.6
  +
* 3.0 (presumed to exist, mentioned in 2.6)
  +
* 3.1
  +
* 4.1.1
  +
* 4.2
  +
* 4.3.1
  +
* 5.1
  +
* 5.1.1
  +
* 5.2 (latest version for devices running iOS 5.0 - iOS 6.1.4)
  +
* 6.0
  +
* 6.0.1
  +
* 6.0.2
  +
* 6.3.2
  +
* 7.0
  +
* 7.1 (introduces support for iOS 7 and up)
  +
* 8.0.8
  +
* 8.2
  +
* 8.4.6 (last version ever to be released)
  +
  +
== macOS Version History ==
  +
''This list is '''very''' incomplete.''
  +
* '1' (Only known version, copyright date of 2019)
  +
  +
== Screenshots ==
  +
<gallery>
  +
File:Switchboard_App_Store.png|thumb|90px|Switchboard Icon (iOS 5.2 and earlier)
  +
File:Apple_Connect_iOS_01.png|Switchboard 2.6 Login Screen (Credentials)
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File:Apple_Connect_iOS_04.png|Switchboard 5.2 Login Screen (Pattern)
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File:Apple_Connect_iOS_05.png|Switchboard 4.1.1 Settings Menu
  +
File:sb_7_pass_login.png|Switchboard 6.0.1 Login Screen (Credentials)
  +
File:Switchboard_iOS7_pattern_login.jpeg|Switchboard 6.0.1 Login Screen (Pattern)
  +
File:sb_7_settings.png|Switchboard 6.0.1 Settings Menu
  +
File:Switchboard_6.0_Interface.png|Switchboard 6.0 Main Menu
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File:switchboard_prov.png|Switchboard Provisioning Profile
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File:switchboard_usg.png|Switchboard Usage Info
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File:sb_connect_err.png|"Cannot Connect To Switchboard" Error
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File:sb_gesture_err.png|Unauthorized Apple ID Error
  +
File:Switchboard_apps.png|Switchboard Apps
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File:Switchboard_download_AppleConnect.png|The message telling you to install AppleConnect before using Switchboard
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</gallery>
  +
  +
== See Also ==
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* [[SwitchBoard.app|SwitchBoard]]
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* [[App Store]]
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* [[Concierge]]
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* [[Apple Employee Directory|Directory]]
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* [[Radar]]
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* [[UniBox]]
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* [[AppleConnect (SSO)]]
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* [[App Shack]]
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* [[Self Service]]
   
  +
[[Category:Apple Internal Apps]]
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===Note===
  
−
See also [[SwitchBoard.app|SwitchBoard]] (with an uppercase "B"), which is not the same.
  

Latest revision as of 03:23, 20 November 2021

This article discusses software internally used by Apple.

Acquiring a copy without Apple's consent is illegal and may result in being scammed.
Engaging in illegal activity is not condoned. This information is provided for educational purposes only.

Switchboard
Switchboard icon ios7.png
Switchboard icon macOS.png
Original author(s) Apple Inc.
Developer(s) Apple Inc.
Discontinued 8.4.6
(last version for iOS ever to be released)
'1'
(latest known version for macOS)
Operating system iOS, macOS
Available in English
License Closed source

Summary

Switchboard, not to be confused with SwitchBoard, was an internal app that functioned as an app store for Apple employees, allowing them to download and update other internal apps all in one place. Switchboard's icon is very reminiscent of the official App Store icon, except it is green and has an "S" instead of an "A". Inside Switchboard, there are a variety of apps available for download, including Concierge, Directory, Radar, and UniBox, just to name a few. The apps available for download within Switchboard may vary from employee to employee depending upon one's AppleConnect permissions. Enrollment is done through various different websites. To begin enrollment, employees would visit sb.apple.com. After signing in with their AppleConnect credentials, they would be redirected here to finish enrollment and install all the necessary MDM profiles on their device. After launching the app, Switchboard checks to see if you're running the latest version. If you're using an outdated version, Switchboard will not load its content and will ask you to update the app. Switchboard began to be phased out with the release of iOS 13, and was partially replaced by a more modern alternative called App Shack, which was originally thought to serve as an eventual replacement. However, on 29 January 2021, Apple shut down Switchboard, making 8.4.6 the last version to ever be released. Self Service, which Apple has used for a number of years, was chosen as the official Switchboard replacement.

A macOS version of the app also exists. The only known version[needs verification] has a copyright date of 2019 and has a Catalina-style icon, implying that this app first came out relatively close to the end of Switchboard's life, compared to the iOS version. Unfortunately the app informs that it requires an AppleConnect account set up through an 'AppleConnect installer' first before crashing (not just exiting- the macOS crash reporter appears). Clicking the "Download Now" button in this popup just ends up leading you to the AppleConnect login page at idmasc.apple.com (though it appears that you need that redirect from Switchboard for the page to load, which is likely just appleconnect.apple.com as that produces the same end results). Interestingly, there is no way to access "About Switchboard" when this popup is showing, the item is completely missing from the Menu Bar. This unfortunately means I can only find the version number found in Quick Look and the info pane, which is just simply '1', like many other internal apps.

iOS Version History

This list is incomplete.

  • 2.4 (presumed to exist)
  • 2.6
  • 3.0 (presumed to exist, mentioned in 2.6)
  • 3.1
  • 4.1.1
  • 4.2
  • 4.3.1
  • 5.1
  • 5.1.1
  • 5.2 (latest version for devices running iOS 5.0 - iOS 6.1.4)
  • 6.0
  • 6.0.1
  • 6.0.2
  • 6.3.2
  • 7.0
  • 7.1 (introduces support for iOS 7 and up)
  • 8.0.8
  • 8.2
  • 8.4.6 (last version ever to be released)

macOS Version History

This list is very incomplete.

  • '1' (Only known version, copyright date of 2019)

Screenshots

  • Switchboard Icon (iOS 5.2 and earlier)

  • Switchboard 2.6 Login Screen (Credentials)

  • Switchboard 5.2 Login Screen (Pattern)

  • Switchboard 4.1.1 Settings Menu

  • Switchboard 6.0.1 Login Screen (Credentials)

  • Switchboard 6.0.1 Login Screen (Pattern)

  • Switchboard 6.0.1 Settings Menu

  • Switchboard 6.0 Main Menu

  • Switchboard Provisioning Profile

  • Switchboard Usage Info

  • "Cannot Connect To Switchboard" Error

  • Unauthorized Apple ID Error

  • Switchboard Apps

  • The message telling you to install AppleConnect before using Switchboard

See Also

Retrieved from "https://www.theiphonewiki.com/w/index.php?title=Switchboard_(App_Store)&oldid=119669"